The Galapagos Iguana is a species of iguana found only in the Galapagos Islands. It is scientifically known as Amblyrhynchus cristatus and is the only lizard in the world to live and forage at sea. This species has many unique physical traits, a long life span, a specialized habitat and diet, an interesting reproduction process, and a vulnerable conservation status.
Scientific Name
The scientific name of the Galapagos Iguana is Amblyrhynchus cristatus. It belongs to the family Iguanidae, which includes over 800 species of lizards worldwide.
Physical Traits
The Galapagos Iguana is usually black or gray, but adult males gain green and red markings during the breeding season. They have short legs with sharp claws for gripping rocks and are well adapted to swimming in the ocean. They also have distinctive white “wigs” of salt expelled from glands near their noses.
Life Span
Galapagos Iguanas can live up to 20 years in captivity but typically live up to 10 years in their natural habitat.
Habitat & Diet
Galapagos Iguanas are found only on the islands of the Galapagos archipelago off the coast of Ecuador. They inhabit rocky shorelines, feeding on algae and growing on rocks and seaweed, insects, and carrion. During cold months they may move inland to find warmer temperatures or bask in the sun on rocks near shorelines.
Reproduction
During the breeding season, male iguanas become territorial. They will fight other males for access to females by head-butting each other until one gives up or is injured enough to retreat. Females lay clutches of 2-4 eggs that hatch after about 3 months of incubation in warm sand or soil near shorelines. The young iguanas are independent of birth but may stay close to their mothers for protection from predators such as hawks, owls, snakes, cats, dogs, and rats introduced by humans into their habitats.
Conservation Status
The Galapagos Iguana is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN due to its restricted range and threats posed by human activities such as fishing nets entanglement, pollution from oil spills, and the introduction of invasive species into its habitats. Conservation efforts include protecting nesting sites from human disturbance and controlling introduced predators like cats and rats through trapping programs implemented by local organizations such as Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT).
Interesting Facts
- Marine iguanas can dive up to 30 feet deep underwater while searching for food!
- They can expel salt from glands near their noses, which helps them regulate their body temperature when they come out of cold water!
- Marine iguanas have been observed eating small fish that get stuck between rocks!
- Male iguanas become territorial during the breeding season, leading them into head-butting battles with other males!
